Steroids in Septic Shock- Debate continues

This ignites the age old debate of use of steroids in septic shock. You may recall that B. Venkatesh, S. Finfer, J. Cohen, D. Rajbhandari et el published adrenal trial which showed that mortality at 90 days was similar in patients treated with steroids compared to placebo. However, there was quick resolution of shock in steroid group. This was discussed here. Another trial, Activated Protein C and Corticosteroids for Human Septic Shock (APROCCHSS) , hydrocortisone plus fludrocortisone given at low doses reduced 90-day mortality among patients with septic shock.

STUDIES

MEDLINE, Embase,the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched electronically from inception until August 10, 2018. Total of 37 studies were included after eliminating studies which were biased, low quality and not having full results. Total of 9564 patients.

RESULTS

Steroid treatment was significantly associated with reduced 28-day mortality, ICU mortality, and in-hospital mortality among patients with sepsis. However, this survival benefit was not replicated with 90-day mortality.

Use of corticosteroids in sepsis was associated with a significant increase in shock reversal and vasopressor-free days to day 28 and with a marked decrease in ICU length of stay, SOFA score at 7 days, and time to resolution of shock.However, corticosteroid treatment was not associated with shorter hospital length of stay or fewer ventilation-free days to day 28.

No association between significant adverse effects and corticosteroid treatment when comparing rates of gastroduodenal bleeding, superinfection, or any severe adverse event. Corticosteroid administrationwas
associated with an increased risk of hypernatremia and hyperglycemia.

Potential reasons for different outcomes in these two meta–analysis can be following

This meta-analysis included All patients, low versus high-dose steroids.

Few studies which did not report 28 day mortality or not included in this meta-analysis.

The two meta-analyses used different statistical analysis, fixed-effects model, vs random-effects model

BOTTOMLINE

So far all studies and meta-analyses have shown different outcomes in terms of mortality whether 28 days or 90 days. None of the studies showed worse mortality with use of steroids. Almost all studies showed quick resolution of shock, less vasopressor use, less ICU stay. Furthermore, there were no significant adverse outcomes associated with steroid use.

Mortality reduction is a hard point, and very difficult to achieve. We need further studies to ascertain that fact. Until then, can use steroids in septic shock, especially when vasopressors dose requirement is going up .